Having developed my small urban garden from what started, 25 years ago, as a vegetable patch, it gives me such pleasure I want to share it....

June view 2009

View of rose and herb garden, June 2009

Small Garden Story

Over some 15 + years, I have been photographing the evolution of my small (85 x 15 foot) garden and it seems a waste not to put these records into some sort of context. Beginning here in April 2010 this Blog is intended to both act as a diary and to share past and present successes (and some failures), pleasures and disappointments with fellow garden-lovers. In due course, I intend to fill in some of the background and early days but that will have to wait until the winter months!

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Perfect growing weather (and earwigs!)

Hasn't it been? September with its rain and the recent Indian Summer have given me plenty to keep on top of this year - hence the dearth of posts. Since it's gone back to "normal" now, I'll try for a brief catch-up.
Firstly, this year has proved great for dahlias. Again the pot-grown tubers have outshone those I left in the ground to overwinter but they have almost all flowered with varying degrees of success although the verdict is definitely that in a small garden like mine where space is so restricted, it's worth starting everything in pots to make the most of it. Maybe I will give away this year's tubers to those with more space - or good dry overwinter storage! (Any takers?)
In spite of my initial misgiving, I had mixed varieties fairly well, the dominant hues being through deep crimson through to magenta-white and mid-pink with a few whites and an over-wintered yellow thrown in to shake things up a bit! Daniel's Favourite is a new one to me - almost the opposite of Hayley Jane. Great,strong plant - love it.
Another things that's been (more than) plentiful this year is earwigs. There seems to be at least one fall out of every bloom I cut for the house - hence much chasing them round. They seem to have a strong preference for white blooms, so much so that I have spent a lot of time picking them off as they seem to think that sticking their heads in under the petals hides their tails - a bit ostrich-like maybe! Like lily beetles they also seem a bit dim about camouflage!
In addition to eating the petals, they make a nasty mess with their detritus. However, I think I saw a hedgehog's droppings nearby the other day so maybe there is something positive to come from this!

About Me

As a food photographer based in London my work takes as its inspiration natural organic form. My garden - on a quiet moment - provides the perfect antidote to city life. My dream is to find a small house with a plot of land I can turn into a big garden full of secret rooms brimming with plants and sculptures....